Top 4 Reasons to Study Abroad in London | Student Blog From England

It has officially been 4 months since I stepped on a plane in Boston, MA and headed towards London, England for one of the most amazing experiences of my life. London is truly such an amazing city, and I have loved every moment of living in it. That's why I'm sharing my top 4 reasons to study abroad in London with all of you.

TLDR: London itself is very beautiful, with so much history, lots of cultural diversity, and some amazing things to see and do. The University of Roehampton is a beautiful (and very safe) place to have as your home base for the semester. And if you want to get outside of the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours, there are so many amazing picturesque places just a short train ride away that are so worth seeing.

Picking just 4 favorite things about my experience with CIS Abroad and about living in London in general was pretty hard, but I’ve done it! And, even if you don’t get a chance to study in London, I hope you'll visit while you're studying abroad somewhere else. I guarantee you will fall in love with the city as much as I have. 

My Top 4 Reasons to Study Abroad in London:

1. There's so much to do!

I personally love the size of London and how there's truly so much to do in the city. It is a larger city, comprised of many neighborhoods and sectors. I come from a smaller town just north of Boston, so I am used to a somewhat smaller environment, but London was really easy to get used to and was not as overwhelming as I imagined it to be.

Me at Notting Hill

One thing I love about cities, especially London, is that every individual area and neighborhood has its own personality. The University of Roehampton, where I studied, is in a lush up-and-coming neighborhood south-west London. And I've been to bustling Central London a countless number of times and there are still things I haven't done. There is definitely not a shortage of things to do in London!

The London Eye

2. You'll get a truly international experience.

London is a very diverse and unique city, and so is my school, The University of Roehampton. The city's population is made up of people from so many ethnicities and cultures, and London is definitely open to many different types of self-expression as well. From the clothes people wear to different forms of artistic expression like art, or dance, or activism, there are so many different types of people present and thriving in London. 

3. The University of Roehampton itself is a dream

One thing that has definitely made my experience great is how much I enjoy the University of Roehampton. The campus itself is beautiful and very picturesque and it has a very safe feeling.

The University of Roehampton Campus

It's a gated campus in a residential area of south-west London and is London's only university on a contained U.S.-style campus. I’ve always felt so safe there, and not separated from the rest of  London at all.

The student body and the staff at the University of Roehampton are also so welcoming and nice, which made the transition to London so much easier!

4. Public Transportation is EASY

Getting around the city is also really simple, a convenience that I have come to really appreciate. The University of Roehampton campus is located in south-west London which is a little quieter and more residential area of London than the downtown tourist center.

Even so, getting into Central London when you want to go is very easy. You can take either a bus to the train station and then hop a train into Central London, or just walk to the train station. Either way, it only takes 20-30 minutes to get into the heart of Central London, which is nothing!

Getting around in Central London is so easy, whether you want to walk or take a bus, there is always a form of transportation that can take you where you want to go, even late at night!

It was the best decision.

Choosing to study abroad in London was truly the best decision I could have made.

I encourage each one of you: if you're on the fence about studying abroad, take a step out of your comfort zone. Studying abroad is a decision you won't ever regret.

And if you decide to study in London, you'll have made an amazing choice! It's a beautiful city with so much history and things to do, and you will genuinely love your experience.

Read Megan's blog post about why Roehampton is perfect for travel bugs.

Interested in spending a summer or semester at the University of Roehampton with CIS Abroad? London's calling!